.. Mikaela Gardner (left) of Plainfield and Kayla Pierson of Shorewood battle for control of the puck during a Joliet Jaguars' 10-under girls hockey practice at the Rocket Ice Arena in Bolingbrook. LARRY KANE / SPECIAL TO GOODSPORTS

It was 1998, the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. A group of young, passionate women saw gold at the end of the hard road many of them had traveled for most of their lives. They wanted to play a sport dominated by men and they stayed on it for the love of the game, the dreams they had and the glory of the moment. Women's hockey made its debut as an Olympic sport in 1998. Team USA, in the final game against Canada, became the first women's team to capture a gold medal. Little did they know that their success would pave a new road for the future of girls everywhere. Since that golden moment, female registration with USA Hockey, the sport's governing body, has gone from a mere 5,573 to more than 42,000 across the United States. The hockey bug has bitten girls everywhere and they're taking the sport to an entirely new level.

Out of that 42,000, was a fledgling group of 12 local girls, ages 5-9. They came from Joliet, Shorewood, Plainfield, New Lenox and Naperville. Most of them began playing hockey before learning to read, and skating is just as natural to them as walking.

This group, which played predominantly with boys, came together and founded a successful girls program through the Joliet Jaguars. In 2002, the lady Jaguars completed their first year as a team, taking 4th place in the state at the annual Blackhawk Cup Tournament.

In its second year, the Joliet Jaguars girls program is going strong and has increased its enrollment almost five times since last year. Tryouts for the 2003-2004 girls took place on Aug. 15 and 17, and more than 50 girls worked to earn their spot on one of the several level of teams: 10 and under, 12-under, 14-under and 19-under.

Besides team levels, participants have the option of playing full-time on a Jaguars girls team, or registering as a dual-roster, where time is spent playing on a girls' team and a youth team. Because female hockey is in its infancy, the majority of the girls began playing on predominately boys' teams and continue to do so.

Erin Malinowski, The Jaguars' director of girls hockey, is in her first year in that position.

"I am really excited to see so many girls from so many different areas here for team tryouts. Our program is going to be very strong," said Malinowski.

She brings 15 years of hockey administration and coaching experience to Joliet. Before joining the Jaguars, she was with the Arctic Lady Senators in Orland Park, the 2003 state champions.

On the ice, you can't see the gender difference, except for the flowing locks hanging out of the back of the girls' helmets. They take this sport seriously and play as competitively as the boys. Their motions are swift, their skills impressive and their sense of teamwork and dedication inspiring.

They're looking to be future Olympians, collegiate players, coaches or professional players on one the WNHL teams, Canada's female version of the NHL.

Off the ice, they're sugar and spice. They're young, active and intelligent girls who really appreciate the opportunities. The older players nurture the younger ones and regardless of age or placement, the sense of team and family is always evident.

Throughout the season, which starts in September, many of them will spend as much as 6-8 hours a week on the ice, between practices and games. Add to that travel and preparation time for practices and games.

It's not uncommon to see these girls walk in reading a homework assignment, eating dinner from a paper bag or doing math until it's time to get ready.

For many, the season never ends. When the practices are over and the games done, time is spent at off-season camps that improve skating, stick and puck-handling skills.

And, with the increase in female involvement, all girls hockey camps take place throughout the area. Girls have the opportunity to learn from some of the best female players today and share their love for the sport.

Specifically in this area, is Cammi Granato's Gold Medal Hockey Clinic for girls.

Granato, the captain of the women's 1998 and 2002 Olympic team, spends one week with girls teaching skills and team play. She brings members of the past Olympic teams, an expert coaching staff and all the knowledge and passion of the sport. For many girls, it's a week spent with their heroes who sparked their desire to play the sport.

For the parents of these young athletes, the season is continuous and chaotic. It's months of waking before the sun rises, packing the mini-van with the bags and sticks, driving from rink to rink, eating on the run and washing some of the most pungent equipment on the earth.

It's making sure you don't miss a practice, getting the game times straight, selling candy bars, sewing patches on jerseys, rejoicing in their victories and offering words of encouragement in their defeat.

Then, there's the continuous cash flow it takes to maintain their involvement. A season of hockey can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on the team level, the number of teams played on and how many fundraising dollars you've earned. Oh, let's not forget the endless equipment purchases.

The skates never seem to fit as long as they should and the skate laces and tape supplies dwindle quickly. Then, as soon as you think the equipment inventory is good, an elbow pad breaks, the equipment bag rips or the helmet is fitting just a little to snug.

But, when all is said and done, and paid, most parents wouldn't trade it for the world. Sure, you spend most of your money and time dedicating your life to a sport she could potentially play for at least another 10 years. And the balancing act between your work, personal and home life is never ending.

But, the lessons learned from dedication and teamwork, the life-long friends and family your make, the joy you have inside when she makes her first goal and the opportunities that may lie ahead ...priceless!.

I should know. I'm in my fourth year as a Jaguar hockey mom.

Girls interested in Jaguar Hockey can get more information by calling Erin Malinowski at (815) 462-4294 or visit the jaguarhockey.net Web site.

Julie Gardner is a staff writer for the Herald News.

August 27, 2003